Activated Biocompatible Polymer Adhesive for Immediate Wound Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wound closure methods such as sutures and staples are invasive, time-consuming, and do not immediately seal wounds, leading to leakage and additional trauma, while existing medical polymer-based adhesives lack effective alternatives for therapeutic applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of an activated biocompatible polymer comprising monomer subunits with carboxylic acid or activated ester groups that can crosslink with biopolymers and tissues, providing a medical adhesive that seals wounds and reduces trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures and staples are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but additional trauma to surrounding tissues and invasive procedures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wound closure systems (sutures and staples that physically penetrate tissue) with a chemical/biological system using activated polymer adhesives that bond to tissue through covalent interactions. The activated ester groups on the polymer form stable bonds with amine groups on tissue proteins, achieving wound closure without mechanical penetration or associated tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the chemical state of the polymer from inactive carboxylic acid groups to activated ester groups, which fundamentally alters the polymer's ability to interact with tissue. This parameter change enables the polymer to transition from a non-adhesive state to a highly adhesive state that can effectively seal wounds without mechanical intrusion.
2Reliability
If sutures are used for wound closure, then wound closure is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires subsequent removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs bioresorbable polymers that automatically degrade and are eliminated by the body's natural metabolic processes. The activated polymer adhesives serve their wound closure function and then self-dissipate without requiring manual removal, eliminating the additional time and procedures needed for suture removal while maintaining effective wound closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes biodegradable polymer materials that are intentionally designed to be temporary and disposable. After fulfilling their wound closure and sealing function, these polymers naturally break down into biocompatible byproducts that are eliminated by the body, eliminating the need for removal procedures and reducing overall treatment time.
3Reliability
If conventional wound closure methods are used, then wound closure is achieved, but immediate sealing is not provided allowing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies activated polymer adhesives that immediately upon contact with tissue form covalent bonds and create a sealing barrier. The activated ester groups are pre-configured to rapidly react with tissue amines, providing immediate wound sealing and preventing leakage from the outset rather than requiring progressive closure.
4Ease of operation
If medical polymer-based adhesives are used, then convenience and ease of use are improved, but effective alternatives for therapeutic applications are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite polymer structures combining phosphorylcholine-containing monomers with activated ester groups. This composite design integrates the biocompatibility and anti-fouling properties of phosphorylcholine with the adhesive functionality of activated esters, achieving both ease of application and effectiveness across diverse therapeutic applications including wound closure, tissue bonding, and medical device attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer effectively seals wounds, reduces trauma, and facilitates wound healing by forming covalent bridges between tissues and medical devices, offering a convenient and less invasive alternative to traditional closure methods.
Implementation Method 1
The activated biocompatible polymer can bond to exposed primary amines in many proteins, including collagen, as well as in extracellular matrix. The same mechanism allows the activated biocompatible polymer to bind two different biopolymers with a single branch and act as a crosslinker.
Implementation Method 2
The large size of the molecule allows for the formation of many covalent bonds on both of the surfaces to the same molecule of the activated biocompatible polymer.
Implementation Method 3
it both passively adheres to the surface through electrostatic interaction (van der waal and water bonds), it also binds directly with covalent bonds
Implementation Method 4
The activated biocompatible polymer can therefore create covalent bridges between adjacent tissues, or between tissues and medical devices containing collagen.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer for therapeutic purposes is provided. The polymer is an activated biocompatible polymer comprising: one or more monomer subunits of formula (iia), or one or more monomer subunits of formula (iia′): andone or more monomer subunits of formula (ib):Wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H or methyl; andA(act) is an activated ester-containing group comprising at least two activated ester groups;A′(act) is an activated ester-containing group comprising at least one activated ester group;or a salt or solvate thereof. Precursors of the activated biocompatible polymers are also provided.